Apparatus for quenching steel railroad wheels



'L Jan. 2l, 1958 H. a wlsHAR-r APPARATUS FOR QUENCHING STEEL RAILROAD WHEELS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 9. 1954 H. B. WISHART APPARATUS FOR lQUENCHING STEEL RAILROAD WHEELS Jan. 21, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 9, 1954 APPARATUS FOR QUENCHING STEEL RAILROAD WHEELS Filed Sept. 9, 1954 H. B. WISHART Jan. 2L 1958 :5 sheets-sheet 5 Meow ,WM/Mez y' /OmM/f fm APPARATUS FOR QUENCHING STEEL RAILROAD WHEELS Harold B. Wishart, Gary, Ind., assignor to United States Steel Corporation, a corporation of New Jersey Application September 9, 1954, Serial No. 455,026

13 Claims. (Cl. 134-123) This invention relates to the quench-hardening of steel railroad wheels and, in particular, to an apparatus for supporting a wheel with its axis horizontal and spraying quenching fluid onto the various portions thereof, i. e., tread, rim, plate and hub, in the proper sequence, for predetermined times.

Various types of wheel-quenching apparatus have been proposed heretofore. The object of my invention is to improve thereon in respect to simplicity of structure, effectiveness and ease of control in operation and adjustability to accommodate wheels of different sizes as well as ilexibility in the quenching procedure.

In a preferred embodiment, I provide a frame and mount therein a wheel-supporting roller and a pair of spaced positioning rollers cooperating therewith. The positioning rollers are journaled on slides adapted to travel 'on ways inclined downwardly toward each other. Arcuate spray heads for quenching the tread and rim are adjustably mounted between the supporting roller and each positioning roller and additional spray heads for quenching the tread and rim are disposed above the positioning rollers. Plate-quenching nozzles are located above the supporting roller and a hub-quenching nozzle is mounted at one side of the apparatus for entry into the hub of a wheel disposed thereon.

A complete understanding of the invention may be obtained from the following detailed description and explanation which refer to the accompanying drawings illustrating the present preferred embodiment of the appara-v tus. In the drawings:

Figure l is a plan view with parts in section along a horizontal plane, and parts omitted;

`Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section taken along the plane of line II-II of Figure l, showing a Wheel in position for quenching; line l-I of Figure 2 indicates the plane on which the section of Figure l is taken;

f Figure 3 is a partial plan View showing in horizontal section a wheel in position therein and the hub-quench ing -nozzle advanced into operative position; p

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken along the plane of line IV-IV of Figure 2; and

' Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views of the lower arcuate spray heads for the tread and rim, respectively, and Figure 7 of the upper spray head for the rim.

Referring now in detail to the drawings and, for the present, to Figures l and 2, a collecting tank 10 comprises a bottom plate 11 resting on sills 12, spaced main beams 13 normal to the sills, and secondary beams 14 parallel thereto.v -The beams are welded to the plate and form the end and side walls of the tank. Aflange 15 around the edge of the bottom plate constitutes the outer portion thereof a splash pan. An extension box 16 at one end ofthe tank communicates with the interior thereof through an openingr17 in the adjacent beam 13. An openbottomed frame 18 fabricated from plate and angles spans beam 13. The frame includes vertical side walls 19 and 20 and downwardly converging end walls 21 and 2,2.

atent O "ice A shaft 23 extending transversely through frame 18 is journaled in bearings 24 standing on beams 14. A motor 25 drives the shaft through a gear reducer 26 and suitable couplings 27. A roller 28 disposed on the shaft centrally of the frame has a frusto-conical body with end flanges and a groove adapted to lit the rim and liange of a railroad wheel shown at 29. Guide plates 30 and 31 secured flatwise to the inclined end Walls 21 and 22 of the frame, have ways 32 extending therealong. A slide 33 is movable along the ways of each plate and has an idler positioning roller 34 journaled in spaced ears 35 extending inwardly from the slide, adapted to be engaged by a wheel supported on roller 28. Rollers 34 are similar in contour to roller 28.

For the purpose of adjusting the slides along the guide plates, a screw 36 is journaled in bearings 37 at the ends of the latter and cooperates with a sleeve nut 38 secured on the slide. Each screw has a handwheel 39 for manual rotation thereof. It will be evident that a wheel 29 disposed on roller 28 and engaged by rollers 34 will be confined and held in a vertical plane and may be rotated about lits axis by driving roller 28. Adjustment of rollers 34 upward or downward permits the accommodation therebetween of wheels of different sizes.

Tread-quenching spray heads in the form of arcuate t boxes 40 (see Figure 5) are pivoted on through bolts 41 on both sides of roller 28. The boxes have holes spaced over the surface of their inner concave Walls and are supplied with quenching uid through flexible-hose connections. The boxes are held in the desired position by supporting and 'adjusting screws 42 threaded through sides of roller 28. Heads 44 are carried by stud bolts 45` extending through frame walls 18 and 19. They are similar to heads 40 except that the holes are in the inner at faces, and may be adjusted angularly about the lower bolts 45 by virtue of arcuate slots 46 in walls 18 and 19, through which the upper bolts extend.

Spaced vertical plates 47 (Figures 2 4) extending upwardly from each slide 33 are bridged by a connecting bar 48. Upper tread-quenching spray heads 49 are seplaced on roller 28 and is confined by rollers 34. Quench;

cured to bars 48 and each has a slot in its inner face discharging a fiat ribbon of water onto the wheel tread. Upper rim-quenching spray heads 50 (see Figure 7) of similar nature are mounted on plates 47. Bars 48 are secured to plates 47 by through bolts 51 and are adjustable toward and from heads 50 by virtue of slots 52v in theplates. Adjustment of rollers 34 by screws 36 automatically positions heads 50 properly, relative to the wheel rim. Plate-quenching spray heads in the form of nozzle clusters 53 are mounted on both frame walls 18 and 19, on both sides of the vertical plane through the axis of roller 2`8. Y y

A hub-quenching nozzle 54 (Figure 4) is mountedjon the piston rod 55 of a timid-pressure cylinder 56. The cylinder is supported at one side of frame 18 by a bracketV (not shown). Nozzle 54 is normally retracted to an outef-the--way position and is advanced into the bore in the hub of wheel 29 only after the latter hasbeen,

ing fluid is supplied to the nozzle by a flexible-hose con; nectionS'. p p` fr The various supply `lines connected to the spray heads are provided with manual control valves and electromagnetic on-ot valves (not shown). Thus the ow of water to any head may be adjusted as desired and the quenching of the several parts of a wheel may be controlled in a closely timed sequence. Preferably, a wheel `atroorn Atemperature is placed on roller 23and yrollers 34 arev adjusted to engage the periphery of the wheel. Motor 25 is started and the manual/valves are adjusted with the electromagnetic'valves open to produce the ,desired impingence of quenching spray on various portions of the wheel. The electromagnetic valves are then deenergized and closed. Thereafter, selective energization of the windings of the electromagnetic Valves will cause projection of the proper sprays at the right time. The apparatus is thus very flexible as to the timing or sequence of quenching for any particular wheel.

After the rollers 34 and the manual valveshave been adjusted, the cold wheel is removed and a wheel heated to austenitizing temperature is placed on rollers 28 and 34 with motor 2S running. The wheel is thereby immediately started rotating. By suitable manual switches, the electromagnetic valves controlling the ow of fluid to spray heads 40, 44, 49 and 50 are energized and jets from all these heads impinge on the tread and rim of the wheel. After a predetermined time, such as two minutes, iluid is similarly admitted to heads 53 to quench the plate of the wheel. After an additional two minutes all fluid is shut off. For other wheel sections, a different timing and sequence may be employed. The tread and rim will ordinarily be quenched first but the apparatus permits the plate and hub to be quenched at any point in the rim quenching. For quenching the hub, nozzle 54 is advanced to the position shown in Figure 4 and fluid is admitted thereto. When the quenching of all parts of the wheel is completed, nozzle 54 is retracted and the wheel is removed from the apparatus.

It will be apparent that the invention has many advantages over wheel-quenching apparatus known heretofore. It is simple in construction, easy to operate and highly eifective in performing its intended function. Spray heads 40 and 44 ood the wheel rim and tread with water and this effect is augmented by heads 49 and 50. Heads 53 and nozzle 54 permit partial or full quenching of the plate and hub as desired. All the spray heads are adjustable for wheels of different sizes and the setting of the positioning rollers 34 may be accurately adjusted either before placing a wheel thereon or while it is in quenching position and being driven by roller 28.

I claim:

1. 'Wheel-quenching apparatus comprising` a frame, spaced opposed downwardly converging ways carried by said'frame, opposed slides movable along said ways, respectively, a. wheel-positioningY roller journaled horizontally `on each slide, a horizontal shaft journaled below andbetween said slides, a wheel-supporting roller mounted ron the shaft in valinement with said positioning rollers and adapted to cooperate therewith in making threepoint engagement with a wheel to ,hold it rotatably therebetween with its axis substantially horizontal, and aspray head between the supporting roller and atleast one positioning roller.

2.l Wheel-quenching apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by said head being an arcuate box.

3. Wheel-quenching apparatus according to claim 2 chracterized by said head being pivoted adjacent one en 4. Wheel-.quenching apparatus according to claim 3 gharacterizedby means for adjusting the other end of the 5.` Wheel-quenching apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by spaced ears extending inwardly from said slides, said positioning rollers being journaled in said ears.

6. Wheel-quenching apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by said spray box being mounted and adapted to discharge jets against the tread of a wheel disposed on said rollers.

7. Wheel-quenching apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by said spray box being mounted and adapted to discharge jets against the side face of the rim of a wheel disposed on said rollers.

8. Wheel-quenching apparatus comprising a frame, spaced opposed downwardly converging ways carried by said frame, opposed slides movable along said ways, respectively, a wheel-positioning roller journaled horizontally on each slide, a horizontal shaft journaled below and between said slides, a wheel-supporting roller mounted on said shaft in alinement with said positioning rollers and adapted tocooperate therewith in making three-point engagement with a wheel to hold it rotatably therebetween with its axis substantially horizontal, and spray headscarried on said slides adapted to discharge jets against the rim of a wheel disposed on said rollers.

9. Wheel-quenching apparatus according to claim 8 characterized by spaced vertical plates mounted on each slide, said heads being mounted on said plates.

10. Wheel-quenching apparatus comprising a frame, spaced opposed downwardly converging ways carried by said frame, opposed slides movable along said ways, respectively, a wheel-positioning roller journaled horizontally on each slide, a horizontal shaft journaled below and between said slides, a wheel-supporting roller mounted on said shaft in alinement with said positioning rollers and adapted to cooperate therewith in making three-point engagement with a wheel to hold it rotatably therebetween with its axis substantially horizontal, spaced vertical plates mounted on each slide, a bridging bar extending between said plates and `a spray head on each bar adapted to deliver a jet onto the tread of a wheel disposed on said rollers.

1,1. Wheel-quenching apparatus comprising a frame, spaced opposed downwardly converging ways carried by said frame, opposed slides movable along said ways, respectively, a wheel-positioning roller journaled horizontally on each slide, a horizontal shaft journaled below and between said slides, a wheel-supporting roller mounted on said shaft in alinement with said positioning rollers and adapted to cooperate therewith in making three-point engagement with a wheel to hold it rotatably therebetween with its axis substantially horizontal, and a horizontal nozzle reciprocably mounted laterally of said frame, adapted to enter the bore in the hub of a wheel disposed on said rollers.

12. Wheel-quenchingv apparatus comprising a frame including spaced opposed walls inclined downwardly toward each other, guide platessecured to said walls having ways extending up and down therealong, a pair of opposed slidesy movable along said ways, a wheel-positroning roller mounted on each slide, a wheel-supportlng roller between and below said positioning rollers and arcuate spray boxes between said supporting roller and each positioning roller.

13. Wheel-quenching apparatus according to claim 12 characterized by a screw journaled in each guide plate parallel to said ways having threaded engagement with the slide thereon.

ReferencesCited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,276,106 Pease et al. Aug. 20, 19.18 1,391,907 Schaier Sept. 27, 1921 1,697,068 Kenney Ian. 1, 1929 1,704,327 Kenney et al. Mar. 5, 1929 2,068,913 Gregg Jan. 26, 1937 2,596,345 Penrod May 13, 1952 

